Monterey-El Dorado-Placer County CA Archives Biographies.....Maxfield, Frank 1831 - 
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Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893)

FRANK MAXFIELD.—The time is not far distant when the early time gold hunters of
California will all be numbered with the "great majority," and any record,
however brief, will be perused with interest by the future student of history.
The discovery of gold in California attracted a class of men which, taken
collectively or individually, were unique. Of their successes or failures, it is
not the aim or scope of this work to treat, inasmuch as the miner's future is
never, or seldom, determined by airy established code of business regulations,
or principles, but rather upon their good luck in striking a lead and their
ability to make a lucky guess as to its extent and value after it has been located.

  Frank Maxfield, of Monterey, is one of the pioneer miners of California. He
came to the gold fields of the State in 1852. He is a native of Ohio, born in
Tuscarawas county, in the northern part of the State, July 15, 1831. There he
received the rudiments of his education, and learned the potter's trade, which
he pursued at that place till 1851. He then went to Indiana and followed the
same business about one year.

  Reports of the rich gold discoveries in California so fired his ambitious
nature that he joined an uncle, Frank Mauk, Esq., who had visited the gold
diggings in 1849, and proceeded with him on a journey overland to the Pacific
coast. After remaining one winter in Iowa, they resumed their journey, and
arrived at Salt Lake in the month of July. Here they witnessed the laying of the
corner-stone of the great Mormon temple, July 17, 1852. Owing to an old
school-day acquaintance with Silas, a cousin of the late Mormon priest, John
Smith, they were received at Salt Lake kindly, many privileges and courtesies
being extended to them, which was in striking contrast to the treatment received
by the average overland emigrant. Having sent word in advance that the little
party would arrive in the city at a stated time, they were met with carriages,
their entire outfit taken in charge, cattle fed, oxen shod, wagons replenished
with provisions, etc.; and when they left the city they were given passes over
the numerous bridges and ferries which they would encounter on their westward
journey. Mr. Maxfield met other acquaintances there who, while embracing and
fully believing in the Mormon doctrine, did not believe in or practice polygamy.

  They resumed and accomplished their journey without particular incident,
reaching Diamond Spring, in El Dorado county, December 5, 1852. The uncle, Frank
Mauk, Esq., located at San Jose, where he farmed for several years. He then
engaged in the erection of quartz mills in Amador county and adjoining mining
districts. He was an active and aggressive business man, pursuing this business
up to the time of his death, which occurred in Arizona in 1889, at an advanced
age, he having been born in 1809. Mrs. William Tibbetts, of Monterey, is a
daughter of his.

  Mr. Maxfield mined in El Dorado, Placer and adjoining counties up to about
1861, since which time he has lived in Sonoma and Monterey counties, in the last
named since 1874. There are few pioneers who are not familiar with his face and
voice.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California.

Illustrated.

Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent
Citizens of To-day.



HENRY D. BARROWS,
Editor of the Historical Department.

LUTHER A. INGERSOLL,
Editor of the Biographical Department.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."-Macaulay.


CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1893.


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